(Communicated by the Office of the President)
President Shimon Peres, will depart on Sunday, 26 May 2013, for a visit to Jordan and will represent Israel at the
World Economic Forum which is taking place on the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea.
The WEF will be attended by heads of state, senior leaders and ministers as well as business people from across the Arab world. Amongst the attendees will be the King of Jordan, President of the Palestinian Authority, US Secretary of State John Kerry and the representative of the quartet, Tony Blair.
The closing plenary of the conference is entitled "Breaking the Impasse" and Secretary Kerry, President Abbas, President Peres and King Abdullah will all deliver speeches. President Peres is expected to address the major issues facing the Middle East today including the importance of returning to negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. He will stress that Israel stretches out her hand in peace to all the countries of the Middle East. The plenary will be
broadcast live by the World Economic Forum.
During his visit President Peres will also conduct an intensive round of diplomatic meetings with senior leaders attending the conference.
On Friday, May 24, President Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a working meeting at the President's Residence in Jerusalem during which they discussed the central issues which will arise during the President's visit to Jordan.
Upon his arrival at the World Economic Forum President Shimon Peres addressed the world press on the importance of restarting the peace process:
"Good morning, this is the time for peace. It is the time for peace. I believe this is the general desire and the clear option. With the nomination of Secretary Kerry and the overall expressions supporting peace we shouldn’t be cynical. It is urgent; we shouldn’t lose the opportunity because it will be replaced by a great disappointment. We have to overcome skepticism and doubts. I believe it is a real possibility.
As far as the Palestinians are concerned we have a functioning beginning and an agreed solution. The solution is the two state solution - living in peace and dignity. I am aware of the missing links residing between the two ends. From my experience I believe it is possible to overcome them, it doesn’t require too much time. It is the real interest of all parties concerned.
This is an important opportunity to reiterate our will, not to waste time and to return to negotiations and complete the peace process with the Palestinians based on two states for two peoples - an Israeli state and a Palestinian state living as good neighbors and cooperating economically for the good of future generations."